Tuesday, 1 October 2013

Champions League Group E: Steaua Bucharest v Chelsea preview - SkySports

Jose Mourinho: Left his press conference as questions were asked over his team choices

Jose Mourinho: Left his press conference as questions were asked over his team choices

Chelsea travel to Romania to face Steaua Bucharest knowing defeat in the Arena Nationala could spell the end of the UEFA Champions League campaign.

The Blues were stunned 2-1 by FC Basel in their European curtain-raiser and can ill afford another blip with a Schalke double header on the horizon.

Chelsea became the first defending champions to exit in the group stage last season and manager Jose Mourinho has described Tuesday's clash as a game "we cannot lose".

"We have to get 12 points to be out of any danger, so if we lose there we still have four matches to play and we will have to win them all," the Portuguese manager added. "We don't want to put ourselves under so much pressure."

The non-selection of Juan Mata has dominated headlines in recent weeks but following an influential performance in Chelsea's 1-1 draw with Tottenham in the Premier League, the Spaniard has been confirmed in the starting line-up.

Similarly, Steaua will be looking to get their Champions League bid kick-started following a 3-0 defeat to Schalke, who currently top Group E, in their first fixture.

The RomaniaN champions have enjoyed a strong start on the domestic front as the lone side in Liga 1 to have their unbeaten record in tact.

Coach Laurentiu Reghecampf guided Steaua to a Romanian league and cup double last term and then through qualifying to the main Champions League draw this season.

The 1986 European champions also boast an admirable home record against English clubs, having lost just one of their previous eight matches in the Arena Nationala.

S Bucuresti Badge S Bucuresti

Steaua Bucharest manager Laurentiu Reghecampf has concerns over the fitness of midfielders Mihail Pintili and Cristian Tanase ahead of their second Champions League Group E clash.

Both will face late fitness tests ahead of the clash on the home soil and Reghecampf expects the duo to feature at some point in the match.

Chelsea Badge Chelsea

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho will be without Eden Hazard after he was ruled out through injury, alongside compatriot Kevin de Bruyne.

Michael Essien was also left out of the party which travelled to Romania as he continues to battle with injury.

Fernando Torres is included for the second group stage clash, however, despite his domestic ban following his red card against Spurs.

Previous game's starting line-ups

Team taken from FC Steaua Bucuresti vs Schalke (UEFA Champions League) on Wednesday 18th September 2013

Team taken from Chelsea vs Tottenham Hotspur (Barclays Premier League) on Saturday 28th September 2013


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